Literacy Month: Culture of reading ‘starts at home’
The Department of Basic Education has urged parents to support teachers by reading with their children at home.
South Africa observes National Literacy Month in September.
Last year, the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) ranked South African pupils amongst the world's lowest.
The study revealed that 81% of Grade 4 pupils in the country cannot read for meaning.
The department’s spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga, said the root cause of the literacy problem is a lack of exposure to reading.
“The culture and habit of reading must first take place at home. Children must not only see reading as a school matter, but it must also be an issue which happens both in the home, in the street and at school.
“For as long as this is seen as an Education Department issue, we will not see the end of the challenges that we are facing. Our reading rate as a country, in general, is very low, so if we do not read as adults and have children see us do so, there is no way that we can expect miracles from our children.
Education Activist Hendrick Makaneta echoed the sentiments.
“Children who normally read with their parents tend to do much better than those who only read at school. Reading with parents is easier because of their deeper emotional connection. They do it in leisure time and at their own pace.”
ALSO READ:
